The National tribune., 1887-02-24
NEW MADRID.
The Ohio Brigade Had Hand in Its Capture, aud
at Island Number 10.

at Island Number 10.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Ihave noticed
from time 10 time communications from various
members Of the 10th ILL.,, who endeavor 10 show
that the 10th and 10th III. were the only troops
that took any part in the capture OF New Madrid
aud Island No. 10. ] have waited patiently for
some member of the old Ohio Brigade 10 speak
up and tell the part taken by them in the siege
aud capture Of those rebel strongholds but the
boys seem 10 be afflicted with their old-time
mOdcsty and remain quite
Feb. "a 1862, the regiment 10 which j be-
longed, the 39th Ohio, and 9th Ohio, landed al
Commerce, No., 10 take part in the proposed
move against New Madrid We were there
Joined by the 43d and SD Ohio, and brigaded
with them; forming what was afterward known
! as Fuller's famous Ohio Brigade. There were
also present the 10th and 10th ILL.,, and various
other troops, infantry and artillery, and small
detachment Of cavalry.
We marched from Commerce for New Madrid
on the 2Sth Of February, and on March ar
rived in front Of New Madsid. The 39th Ohio
was ordered 10 reconnoiter the position of the
enemy. We moved down quite near, and drew
the fire Of both the upper and lower forts, and
also Of the gunboats of which there were seven
in plain view. We lost one man killed in the
reconnaissance. Finding the enemy so well forti-
lied and supplied with heavy artillery, and
having nothing but light artillery with u.s. we
retired out Of range aud went into camp until
the arrival Of some heavy artillery that Gen.
Pope had ordered from Cairo
The heavy guns arrived May IL, consisting
of a battery of three 24-pounders and one Ga
FOUNDER. That night we left our camp and
moved 10 the front Of the lower fort. Cos
i and IL, Of the 39th. and two companies
Of the 9th Ohio the whole under the
command Of Lieut.-Col Kennett Of the 9th
Ohio, were sent forward 10 drive in the
rebel pickcts. i do not say that the 10th
or 10th Ill took no part in the movement, for
they may have been on the right Of our line
and not seen by us on account of the heavy fog,
but do say we were there also.
Alter the pickets were driven in we remained
at the post until the artillery was planted and
fortified. We then moved 10 the left. The
9th aud 18th Ohio were in line Of battle just
10 the left Of the heavy artillery. We remained
there All day exposed 10 heavy fire from the
4 reDel lorls and gunboats. That night there
arose terrible thunderstorm. The rain poured
down IA torrents aud filled the shallow bitches
which our boys had schOoped out of the soft
soil IN the c0rnfeld with their bayonets and
tin plates, TO protect them from the enemy's
lire, SO That we had 10 climb out of them and
take refuge on the bank. Just before daylight
our sklrmlshers moved forward aud discovered
the enemy had taken advantage Of the storm 10
steal quietly away.
In regard 10 the movements after that i will
admit that PaiDes Division crossed the river
first, but we crossed Immediately after them
and were Ia supporting distance Of them when
the enemy surrendered. Our regiment was
than depioycd AS skirmishers, sent up through
the swamps and canebrake TO Island No. 10
capturing large number Of prisoners on the
way npto the Island. j think IL Comrade Nor.
gan had given as all Of Gen. Pope's official re-
port we would have seen some mention Of Other
troops beside the 10th and 10th nl-THos.
BRADNEp, Go. j, 39th Ohio, Cedar Mills, o.